Category Archives: post archive…

I’m constantly looking for recipes for Handsome to enjoy. I guess I live by the mantra that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and I look for new and impressive ways to keep his heart all the time…

Well, Handsome’s favorite is banana bread (which I hate) and I have always had issues with baking it as I think it smells nasty… but love moves us in mysterious ways and when I saw Smitten Kitchen’s recipe for Double Chocolate Banana Bread I knew it was something he would enjoy… so out came the Kitchen Aid! Of course, he loves it, his kids love it and their friends love it. So despite the fact that I will never eat it, it’s a winner that will be made over and over again in our house… It’s pretty easy too, so why not try it? The original recipe makes a loaf, which is sticky and difficult to slice. My recipe makes muffin sized individual portions, which was more successful.

All of the plants in our garden are starting to yield their wonderful fruit, leaves and flowers… I was inspired this morning by a Rachael Ray episode. It was 7am and it’s true, I already had the food network shows on… So there’s Rachael, boiling away her basil for pesto, and I walk outside on the deck and lay my eyes on… Tall ripe basil bushes… okay says I… let’s get this pesto started!

Luckily, I had all the ingredients necessary to pull off the pesto magic, so I just got to it. I think you’ll agree that this looks magic, and believe me, it tastes even better. If you get the chance today, make a batch, put half in the freezer and then have 10 minute meals ready to go after work on a hot sunny day. What could be better?

I just haven’t had anything to say. All I want to talk about is my baby and I don’t want this to turn into a baby blog. I have a good angel on one side that says this blog should be organic and should develop into whatever it does in a natural way. I have the devil on the other side that is already calling me a baby bore and telling me that if I write about babies, no one will ever want to read this blog.

My main driver for starting this blog was getting my recipes down on a place where I could access them from anywhere. So I’m in a supermarket and have forgotten the ingredients for tonight’s dinner? No problemo, I’ll just check my blog. Had I thought for a long time about how I would pass down my recipes to my children and grandchildren? Without a doubt and having this website seemed an up to date way to do it. Continue reading Oh, but I’ve missed you…→

I’ve been making this recipe since I discovered it at Christmas. It is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten – moist, delicious chocolate chips, bursts of slightly sour cranberry juices, which somehow complement each other beautifully. You can use frozen cranberries for this (I’m still using ones I bought fresh and froze at Christmas) but you could try other fruits too like blueberries for the same burst of amazing-ness. I’ve been delayed putting this on the blog because it doesn’t photograph well. Close up and in person, it’s irresistible, on a photo, I think it looks a bit… meh… but take my word for it, try it… and you’ll be making it on a regular basis. I found on an amazing website – www.bakingbites.com, which is worth a visit for sure! Nicole’s recipe calls this a bread, which is brilliant and follows the same recipe. I tried it in cupcake cases, both large and small and found it cooks much quicker, but is also easier to handle. So you can make it in any size you want, but you should definitely make it!

Before I came to America, I had never eaten meatballs. I’m not a fan of meat for meat’s sake and I am just as happy with a marinara sauce for my pasta as a bolognese, but Handsome likes them, and when his eldest daughter said that’s what she wanted for her birthday meal, who am I to turn down the opportunity to make a new dish? I must confess, for the birthday meal, Handsome gave this recipe the first try. We did our usual scouring of my cookbooks and our regular online recipe friends, and as usual, Ree Dummond came up trumps. There’s something about the ways she describes her food that makes it a stronger temptation than Eve’s apple. And let’s be honest, it all tastes pretty darn good too! I’m a huge fan of anything that Handsome can cook right and this recipe was delicious. It’s now on our regular meal schedule and is definitely worth sharing with you guys. Enjoy!

I’ve never been a girly girl per se. My obsession with all things hot pink came to me in my twenties, but as I progressed towards middle age (yeech, did I just say that?) I saw the cooking spirit emerge and housemates and boyfriends told me that I was a bit of a clean freak, so I kind of thought that it was just the stereotypical woman in me and that it wasn’t really something I could escape from.

Then I started this blog and I found out how much I enjoyed writing my thoughts down and to be honest, I saw all kinds of different future avenues opening up to me. I daydreamed about the life as a professional blogger. I fantasized far too much about the day I would open a restaurant and what it would look like and the fabulous food we would serve. Continue reading hot pink coveralls anyone…?→

Oh, but it’s tricky to write a blog when you have a secret you can’t share with the world. When I started the blog the intention was that I would tell everyone what was happening, especially since I was writing it for my family and friends as a way to communicate with the folks back home what was happening in my life. And the recipe repository portion of it, a happy bonus…

But, tradition and common sense dictates then when you are fast approaching forty with a baby on the way, you wait until the 3-month mark has passed before you share your news with the world. Continue reading some happy news…→

This one came courtesy of the amazing Ree Drummond, who’s peppermint candy concoctions inspired this weekend’s baking extravaganza! Since the success of my chardonnay cupcakes recipe post, I have been looking for more divine inspiration, and this was it! The perfect recipe to bring into work for colleagues who need some festive fun… I made lots of mini cupcakes from this batch, about 48 of the yummy little devils, which is perfect to take to work! And as Handsome says, the balance of chocolate vs peppermint is just right, it’s a kudos maker!

Hello… it’s been a while… not a lot of inspiration in my recent endeavors… but never fear, this one doesn’t ever stop cooking and this weekend was geared up for a great weekend of baking to treat me and Handsome’s workplaces to a bit of Christmas cheer. Each of these recipes is quick to prepare, easy to bake or cook, and then great cut up into small pieces to give as gifts or treats for your friends, family or colleagues. I do hope you all enjoy! Merry Christmas!

By the way, this is a Delia Smith recipe. I think she is the goddess of desserts and Christmas goodness, so I happily haven’t changed it.. Long live Delia! This damp ginger cake is quick and easy and so lusciously delicious, you’ll go back again and again. Try it with a cup of earl grey for Christmas heaven…